Personal wireless coverage maps

ABSTRACT

Example methods disclosed herein to provide a map to a wireless device include, in response to a request received from the wireless device, processing wireless session records to determine respective status of a plurality of wireless services in a first geographic region associated with the wireless device. Disclosed example methods also include, based on the processing of the wireless session records, generating map data identifying a location of the wireless device, a status of a first one of the wireless services in a second geographic region included in the first geographic region, and a status of a second one of the wireless services in a third geographic region included in the first geographic region. Disclosed example methods further include transmitting the map data to the wireless device.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/834,480 (now U.S. Pat. No. ______), entitled “PERSONAL WIRELESSCOVERAGE MAP” and filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/614,719 (now U.S. Pat. No.8,401,573), entitled “PERSONAL WIRELESS COVERAGE MAP” and filed on Sep.13, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/969,038 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,285,310), entitled “PERSONAL WIRELESSCOVERAGE MAP” and filed on Jan. 3, 2008. U.S. patent application Ser.Nos. 11/969,038, 13/614,719 and 13/834,480 are hereby incorporated byreference in their respective entireties.

BACKGROUND

Devices that use wireless signaling are ubiquitous to contemporary life.Non-limiting examples of such (wireless) devices include cellulartelephones, text messaging units, personal digital assistants (PDAs),and laptop and palmtop computers. Respective such devices typicallyinclude one or more modes of operation such as, for example,unidirectional or bidirectional voice, video and/or data communications,Internet accessibility, remote control functionality, etc.

However, such devices are dependent upon access to wireless resources(i.e., networks or infrastructure) external to the device in order forcorresponding wireless functions to operate. For example, a cellulartelephone requires a period of continuous signal access to a cellularnetwork in order to initiate and maintain a call. Such externalresources are, as a matter of practicality, finite in their geographiccoverage range and scope of operational modes. In short, worldwidecoverage for all wireless devices, everywhere that a user might want orneed signal access, is not a reality.

Furthermore, various factors result in poor or non-existent signalaccess in areas that are otherwise proximate to wireless serviceinfrastructure. As one example, a user might temporarily lose wirelesssignal access while traveling through a tunnel in a downtown area. Inanother example, a user is denied wireless access while stuck in trafficbecause other wireless users are utilizing all of the available supportresources. These and other scenarios cause frustration and loss ofproductivity for users of wireless technology.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce general concepts of wirelessservice support methods and systems, which are further described belowin the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identifyessential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tolimit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, method is provided including receiving a request at awireless system, the request corresponding to a geographic area. Themethod also includes generating a map at the wireless system inaccordance with the request. The map includes content corresponding toone or more wireless signal services associated with the geographicarea. The method further includes providing the map from the wirelesssystem to a wireless device by way of wireless signals.

In another aspect, at least one computer-readable storage media areprovided, including a program code. The program code is configured tocause one or more processors to receive a request from a wirelessdevice. The request corresponds to a geographic area. The program codefurther causes the one or more processors to generate a map inaccordance with the request. The map includes content corresponding toone or more wireless signal services associated with the geographicarea. The program code is further configured to cause one or moreprocessors to provide the map to the wireless device by way of wirelesssignals.

In yet another aspect, a system is configured to generate a map, the mapbeing configured to be displayed on a wireless device. The map includescontent indicative of a geographic area, and one or more entities withinthe geographic area. The map also includes content indicative of one ormore regions of the geographic area respectively associated with one ormore wireless signal services, and a location of the wireless devicewithin the geographic area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. The use of the same reference numbers in different figuresindicates similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view depicting an illustrative operatingscenario.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting a method in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting a method in accordance with anotherembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view depicting a signal coverage map inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view depicting a signal coverage map inaccordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

This disclosure is directed to providing wireless signal coveragemapping to users of wireless devices. Such a coverage map can includenumerous sorts of information such as, for example, surface streets,areas of particular wireless signal services, areas where wirelesssignal service is inadequate or non-existent, recommended wirelesssignal corridors (routes) between user-specified points, and a host ofothers. The present disclosure is also directed to data acquisitionpertaining to wireless signal sessions. The resulting accumulation ofinformation can be leveraged in providing increasingly accurate anddetailed wireless signal coverage mapping.

Illustrative Operating Scenario

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view depicting an illustrative operatingscenario 100. In FIG. 1, a wireless device 102 is present and ispresumed to be operated by a corresponding user (not shown). Forpurposes of ongoing example, it is assumed that the wireless device 102is a cellular telephone. Other wireless devices 102 (e.g., laptopcomputers, PDAs, etc.) corresponding to other, similar operationalscenarios are also contemplated within the scope of the presentteachings. The wireless device 102 is portable in nature and isconfigured to operate in one or more modes as the user moves aboutwithin a wireless signal coverage area.

The scenario 100 also includes four cellular service towers 104, 106,108 and 110, respectively. Each of the cellular towers 104, 106, 108,110 includes an area of cellular (i.e., wireless) signal coverage 114,116, 118 and 120, respectively. It is further noted that some of thecoverage areas (e.g., 114 and 116; 116 and 118) exhibit some degree ofoverlap with each other. While the respective signal coverage areas 114,116, 118, 120 are represented in FIG. 1 as hexagonal in shape, one ofordinary skill in the related arts will appreciate that suchrepresentation is a simplification for ease of understanding. In anycase, each cellular service tower 104, 106, 108, 110 can provide signalcoverage to a finite region about the respective tower. The cellularservice tower 110 further includes a finite range of Wi-Fi® signalservice as represented by coverage lobes 122. Wi-Fi® is a registeredtrademark owned by Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance, Inc.,Austin, Tex., USA.

The cellular towers 104, 106, 108, 110 are coupled to a wireless system(i.e., infrastructure) 124 (such coupling is not depicted in FIG. 1).The wireless system includes a database 126, a server 128 andcomputer-readable storage media 130. Non-limiting examples of thecomputer-readable storage media 130 include one or more optical disks,one or more magnetic storage media, one or more solid state memorydevices, etc. The wireless system 124 can include any other resources(not shown) as needed to support one or more wireless services (e.g.,cellular telephone, Internet access, etc.) for wireless devices (e.g.,102). Non-limiting examples of such wireless system 124 resourcesinclude additional databases, additional servers and/or computersystems, wireless signal analysis instrumentation, network and/orInternet access bridges, public switched telephone network (PSTN)interface equipment, wireless signal receivers, transmitters and/ortransceivers, etc.

In one illustrative operation, a user of the wireless device 102traverses a path 132. In doing so, the user leaves the signal coveragearea 114 at a point 134 (represented by a triangle) and eventuallyenters the signal coverage area 116 at a point 136 (represented by acircle). The user continues to move along the path 132 and leaves thesignal coverage area 116 at a point 138 and later enters the signalcoverage area 118 at a point 140. Thus, the user experiences a loss ofwireless signal (e.g., cellular) access between the points 134, 136 andbetween the points 138, 140. One or more wireless operations are notpossible along the path 132 between the points 134-, 136 and 138, 140,giving rise to two “blackout periods” in the context of thisillustration. Such blackout periods are a primary cause of frustrationand inefficiency for users of wireless devices.

Illustrative Data Acquisition

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting a method 200 in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment. The method 200 includes particular method stepsand a particular order of execution. However, other embodiments can alsobe used that deviate in one or more respects from the method 200 withoutdeparting from the scope of the present teachings. For purposes ofnon-limiting illustration, certain aspects of the method 200 will bedescribed with reference to the operational scenario 100 of FIG. 1.

At 202, a wireless session is registered for a user by the wirelesssystem 124. As used herein, “wireless session” refers to a period oftime during which a wireless device, such as the wireless device 102,accesses a supporting wireless system, such as the wireless system 124.“Registration” refers to establishing communication between the wirelessdevice 102 and one or more wireless resources of the system 124 and, inone or more embodiments, initiating a record within the database 126 ofthe wireless session. Such an initial record can include, for example,device and/or user identification, time and date, one or more wirelesssignal protocol types, and the nature and/or identity of resources to beaccessed. Other initial information can also be included in the database126 record.

At 204, the instantaneous geographic location and signal metrics for thepresent wireless session are determined by resources of the system 124.The geographic location of the wireless device 102 can be determined inany suitable way including, as non-limiting examples, global positionsystem (GPS) signals received by the wireless device 102 and transmittedto the wireless system 124, triangulation on the wireless device 102 byway of fixed wireless access points (e.g., the cellular towers 104, 106,108, 110), etc. Other methods of determining geographic location of thedevice 102, with some acceptable measure of precision, can also be used.Wireless signal metrics can include any quantified or classifiedwireless signal parameter of the wireless session including, forexample, overall signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), andfailed versus successful wireless signal session status. Otherquantified and/or classified wireless signal parameters can also bedefined as wireless signal metrics.

At 206, the signal integrity of the wireless session is evaluated usingone or more of the signal metrics determined at 204 above. If the signalintegrity is evaluated as inadequate in comparison to one or morepredetermined criteria—or if wireless communication with the wirelessdevice 102 has failed altogether—then the method 200 proceeds to 210 asdescribed below. If the signal integrity is determined to be acceptable,then the method 200 proceeds to 208 below.

At 208, the geographic location and signal metrics for the wirelesssession determined at 204 above are written to the database 126 asinitiated at 202 above. The method 200 then proceeds to 212 below.

At 210, the last known good geographic location and signal metrics forthe wireless session (as acquired on a previous iteration of steps204-208) are marked or tagged as such within the database 126. Themethod 200 then terminates.

At 212, it is determined if the present wireless session has been ended(terminated) by the user of the wireless device 102. Such determinationcan be based upon, for example, communication of an “END CALL” datasignal from the wireless device 102 to the system 124. The wirelesssession can be ended in other known ways, as well. If the wirelesssession has been ended, then such an indication is written to thedatabase 126 and the method 200 then terminates. If the wireless sessionhas not been ended by the user, the method 200 returns to 204 above.

The method 200 represents one suitable embodiment for acquiring datapertaining to wireless sessions and storing that data (typically, butnot necessarily) as discrete records (one record per wireless session)into a database, such as the database 126. In this way, a growingdeposit of information, including records corresponding to any number ofwireless system users (i.e., clients) can be accumulated over time andanalyzed for meaningful information. As one example, poor signalstrength or “call dropping” in an area can indicate localities whereadditional wireless system 124 resources are needed. Furthermore, suchinformation can be used to advise users of wireless devices about areasprone to, or presently experiencing, wireless access trouble.

The method 200 of FIG. 2 is illustrative of numerous wireless sessiondata acquisition schemes in accordance with the present teachings. Othermethods including some or all of the steps 202, 205, 206, 208, 210, 212,214 described above, or other steps, and/or other sequences of executioncan also be used and are within the scope of the present teachings. Themethod 200 and/or suitable variations thereon can be implemented by wayof dedicated-purpose system resources, and/or one or moreprocessor-based devices operating under software (e.g., the media 130)control, etc. Furthermore, multiple instances of the method 200 can beperformed contemporaneously, wherein each instance corresponds to arespective wireless session and associated user. Thus, records withinthe database 126 (or other suitable storage entity or entities) can beincreasing (evolving) on a nearly continuous basis.

Illustrative Coverage Mapping

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting a method 300 in accordance withanother embodiment. The method 300 includes particular method steps anda particular order of execution. However, other embodiments can also beused that deviate in one or more respects from the method 300 withoutdeparting from the scope of the present teachings. For purposes ofnon-limiting illustration, certain aspects of the method 300 will bedescribed with reference to the operational scenario 100 of FIG. 1.

At 302, a wireless device, such as the wireless device 102, accesses awireless system, such as the wireless system 124, and requests signalcoverage mapping from their present location to a user-defineddestination. In another embodiment, a user can select from a number ofpreviously defined and stored origin-and-destination pairs, or setsincluding three or more points of interest (e.g., origin, intermediatepoint, and destination). The user's present location can be determinedby user input, GPS location signaling, or other suitable means. In anycase, the corresponding wireless system 124 is aware of the user'sorigin and destination.

At 304, the wireless system 124 accesses the database 126, and possiblyother system 124 resources (not shown), having information relevant tothe user's request. Such information can include geographic information,roads and highways, types and locations of wireless support resources,areas of known inadequate (i.e., poor) or non-existent wireless signalcoverage, real-time information regarding wireless signal outages,restricted wireless usage zones, and other data. Such data can, forexample, have been acquired at least in part by way of the method 200 ofFIG. 2 as described above. Furthermore, such data can be representativeof any number of wireless users operating previously or presently withinthe geographic region of interest.

At 306, the wireless system 124 determines a recommended route for theuser to traverse between the specified origin and destination points.This determination is made in accordance with the user's desiredwireless service type(s) (i.e., protocol(s)), the available wirelesssupport resources, and/or known locations of heavy wireless usage, etc.The determination is further based upon a predetermined likelihood thatsuch wireless service type(s) will be continuously (or nearly so)available. For example, a determination can be directed to calculating aroute along which wireless Internet access is continuously available atleast ninety-five percent of the time according to historical datawithin the database 126. Other predetermined likelihoods and similarcriteria can also be used.

At 308, the system 124 provides a signal coverage map including therecommended route to the wireless device 102 of the user. The map canuse various combinations of color, symbology, indicia, routing arrows,text labeling, and other features in order to convey a readilyunderstood advisory to the user. Non-limiting examples of such maps aredescribed in further detail hereinafter.

The method 300 of FIG. 3 is illustrative of numerous wireless signalcoverage mapping and routing advisories that can be provided in responseto a user request. Other methods including some or all of the steps 302,304, 306, 308 described above, or other steps, and/or other sequences ofexecution can also be used and are within the scope of the presentteachings. The method 300 and/or suitable variations thereon can beimplemented by way of dedicated-purpose system resources, one or moreprocessor-based devices operating under software (e.g., media 130)control, etc.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view depicting one illustrative example of awireless signal coverage map (hereinafter, map) 400 in accordance withexemplary embodiments. For purposes of illustration, it is assumed thatthe map 400 was provided to and displayed upon a wireless device 402 inresponse to a user request. It is also assumed that the map 400 wasdetermined (i.e., derived, or generated) substantially as describedabove in regard to the method 300 of FIG. 3. However, other suitablemethods within the scope of the present teachings can also be used togenerate and provide the map 400.

The map 400 includes respective labeled roadways 404, 406, 408, 410,412, 414, 416, 418, inclusive. Thus, the map 400 generally depicts astreet-level representation of an area of user interest. The map 400also includes an origin icon (origin) 420 and a destination icon(destination) 422. The origin 420 and destination 422 correspond to userinput provided at the time of the request for the map 400.

The map 400 of FIG. 4 further includes regions 424 and 426,respectively. The regions 424 and 426 indicate areas of known orhistorically inadequate (or non-existent) wireless signal coverage, witha particular hatch pattern indicating the type (or types) of poor ormissing signal coverage within that region. For example, the region 424can be indicative of a total lack of CDMA-type cellular phone coverage.As another example, the region 426 can indicate historically inadequateiDEN-type signal service. More particularly, the regions 424 and 426correspond to respective sections of the roadways 406, 408, 416 and 418for which wireless signal metrics data is available and indicative ofinadequate or non-existent service. Other hatch patterns, colors, and/orother symbology can be used to indicate areas (i.e., roadway sections,buildings, etc.) where corresponding types of wireless signal coverageare poor or lacking The map 400 symbology can also be keyed to the namesof one or more commercial wireless service providers rather than bysignal protocol types.

In another example, symbology can be used within the map 400 (or anotherembodiment) to indicate areas where wireless signal service is providedby way of a commercial entity other than a primary service provider tothe user. Under such a circumstance, the user is advised that additionalaccess charges do (or potentially) apply. Thus, the user can readilyidentify regions (e.g., 424 and 426) to be avoided if wireless serviceof corresponding type(s) is necessary, or if access through a particularcommercial service provider is undesirable.

The map 400 also includes a region 428. The region 428 can indicate anarea where wireless service of a particular type is known to beprovided. As one non-limiting example, the region 428 can indicate aWi-Fi® zone. Other symbols, colors or graphic elements can be used toindicate the presence of various wireless service regions or hubs. Themap 400 further includes a crowd symbol or icon 430. The crowd symbol430 can indicate, for example, that the cellular service in that area ispresently experiencing heavy usage above a predetermined threshold or atoperating capacity. Thus, cellular service may not be available toanother user entering the vicinity of the crowd symbol 430.

The map 400 of FIG. 4 also includes directional or routing arrows 432.The arrows 432 outline a recommended path for the user of the wirelessdevice 402 to traverse between the origin 420 and the destination 422that is most likely to provide continuous (or most nearly so) wirelessservice of the requested type(s). As depicted, the user is advised totraverse along “AVENUE ‘A’” (roadway 404), then along “FIR STREET”(roadway 414), and finally along “AVENUE ‘D’” (roadway 410) to the reachthe destination 422.

The map 400 is illustrative of any number of maps that can be devised(i.e., automatically generated) and provided to the wireless device 402in response to a user request. The map 400, as described above, providesgraphical information regarding both available wireless services (e.g.,Wi-Fi zone 428) and regions where certain wireless services are lacking(e.g., regions 424 and 426). Furthermore, the map 400 includes advisoryinformation (e.g., arrows 432) intended to guide a user along a pathwayautomatically determined to provide the highest likelihood of continuouswireless signal coverage. The map 400 can be considered a personalwireless coverage map in the sense that symbology included therein iscustomized to the user's particular request for wireless signal serviceinformation for that geographical region. Other maps including some orall of the symbology described above, or other symbology altogether, canalso be used.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view depicting one illustrative example of asignal coverage map 500 in accordance with another embodiment. Forpurposes of illustration, it is assumed that the map 500 was provided toa wireless device 502 in response to a user request, and was generatedsubstantially as described above in regard to the method 300 of FIG. 3.However, other suitable methods within the scope of the presentteachings can also be used to generate and provide the map 500.

The map 500 includes an icon indicative of the wireless device 502 towhich the map 500 was provided. As depicted, the device 502 is locatedsubstantially at the center of the map 500. Thus, the map 500 isillustrative of a response directed to a user's request for wirelesssignal coverage within a particular region and is not necessarily aimedat providing a recommended route between points. Therefore, the map 500differs in its general purpose with respect to the map 400 of FIG. 4.

The map 500 includes labeled roadways 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,inclusive. The map 500 also includes regions 514 and 516, respectivelyindicative of poor (or non-existent) wireless signal service ofcorresponding types. It is thus assumed that areas (i.e., roadways) notwithin (approximately) the regions 514 and/or 516 have known orhistorically acceptable wireless signal coverage of the type(s) relevantto the device 502 user's request.

The map 500 also includes symbols 518 and 520. The symbol 518 isindicative of a small town and provides a listing of wireless servicesavailable there. In turn, the symbol 520 is indicative of a larger cityand provides a listing of wireless services available there. The map 500further includes a blasting symbol 522, indicative of an area wherewireless signal (radio) operation is restricted or banned in accordancewith applicable regulations.

The maps 400 and 500 are illustrative of numerous signal coverage mapsthat can be provided in accordance with the present teachings. While themaps 400 and 500 include particular respective symbols and othercontent, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that othersymbols, colors, icons, text labels and/or advisories, and othergraphical content can be included in other embodiments. Non-limitingexamples of map content include indications corresponding to variousentities such as freeways, surface roads, highways, bridges, riversand/or other water features, buildings, public services, policestations, parks, points of interest, shopping centers, vehicle servicegarages, public transit centers, etc.

The present teachings encompass an essentially unlimited number ofvarious wireless signal coverage maps that can be determined andprovided to users by way of respective wireless devices (e.g., 102,etc.). In turn, such maps can be directed to guiding a user along awireless signal service corridor between points, advise a user to seek(or avoid) certain wireless signal service areas, and provide generalwireless signal availability information for a particular geographicarea. A user can also request signal coverage mapping information aboutan area different than the user's present location. Thus, a user canaccess information about another local prior to visiting that area.Furthermore, coverage mapping can be provided or updated on a periodic,real-time basis in accordance with a user's changing location, changesin available wireless service coverage, or other criteria.

Personal wireless signal coverage maps of the present teachings can bebased, at least in part, on database information acquired substantiallyas described above in regard to the method 200. In one or moreembodiments, new wireless signal data can be acquired and added in anongoing manner. In this way, map information and content can beevolutionary in nature and improve in accuracy, detail and/or timelinessas more data about a particular geographic area is accumulated. In oneor more embodiments, wireless signal data is acquired in accordance withthe method 200, while wireless signal coverage mapping is being providedin accordance with the method 300. Thus, data acquisition and mapprovisioning can be performed in a substantially simultaneous fashion.

CONCLUSION

Although the disclosure has been made in language specific to structuralfeatures and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that thedisclosed concepts are not necessarily limited to the specific featuresor acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosedas exemplary implementations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method to provide a map to a wireless device,the method comprising: in response to a request received from thewireless device, processing wireless session records with a processor todetermine respective status of a plurality of wireless services in afirst geographic region associated with the wireless device; based onthe processing of the wireless session records, generating, with theprocessor, map data identifying a location of the wireless device, astatus of a first one of the wireless services in a second geographicregion included in the first geographic region, and a status of a secondone of the wireless services in a third geographic region included inthe first geographic region; and transmitting the map data to thewireless device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first one of thewireless services is unavailable in the second geographic region but isavailable in a fourth geographic region included in the first geographicregion, and the map data indicates that the first one of the wirelessservices is unavailable in the second geographic region.
 3. The methodof claim 2, wherein the fourth geographic region corresponds to aportion of the first geographic region not including the secondgeographic region.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second one ofthe wireless services is unavailable in the third geographic region butis available in a fifth geographic region included in the firstgeographic region, and the map data indicates that the second one of thewireless services is unavailable in the third geographic region.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the wireless session records include locationinformation and signal metrics for wireless sessions associated with aplurality of wireless devices.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein thewireless sessions are associated with the first geographic region. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the processing of the wireless sessionrecords includes processing the wireless session records to determinewhether the first geographic region includes a zone in which wirelessoperation is restricted, and generating the map data includes generatingthe map data to identify the zone of the first geographic region inwhich wireless operation is restricted.
 8. A computer readable memoryincluding computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause acomputer processor to perform operations comprising: in response to arequest received from a wireless device, processing wireless sessionrecords to determine respective status of a plurality of wirelessservices in a first geographic region associated with the wirelessdevice; based on the processing of the wireless session records,generating map data identifying a location of the wireless device, astatus of a first one of the wireless services in a second geographicregion included in the first geographic region, and a status of a secondone of the wireless services in a third geographic region included inthe first geographic region; and transmitting the map data to thewireless device.
 9. The computer readable memory of claim 8, wherein thefirst one of the wireless services is unavailable in the secondgeographic region but is available in a fourth geographic regionincluded in the first geographic region, and the map data indicates thatthe first one of the wireless services is unavailable in the secondgeographic region.
 10. The computer readable memory of claim 9, whereinthe fourth geographic region corresponds to a portion of the firstgeographic region not including the second geographic region.
 11. Thecomputer readable memory of claim 9, wherein the second one of thewireless services is unavailable in the third geographic region but isavailable in a fifth geographic region included in the first geographicregion, and the map data indicates that the second one of the wirelessservices is unavailable in the third geographic region.
 12. The computerreadable memory of claim 8, wherein the wireless session records includelocation information and signal metrics for wireless sessions associatedwith a plurality of wireless devices.
 13. The computer readable memoryof claim 12, wherein the wireless sessions are associated with the firstgeographic region.
 14. The computer readable memory of claim 8, whereinthe processing of the wireless session records includes processing thewireless session records to determine whether the first geographicregion includes a zone in which wireless operation is restricted, andgenerating the map data includes generating the map data to identify thezone of the first geographic region in which wireless operation isrestricted.
 15. An apparatus comprising: memory including computerreadable instructions; and a processor to execute the computer readableinstructions to perform operations including: in response to a requestreceived from a wireless device, processing wireless session records todetermine respective status of a plurality of wireless services in afirst geographic region associated with the wireless device; based onthe processing of the wireless session records, generating map dataidentifying a location of the wireless device, a status of a first oneof the wireless services in a second geographic region included in thefirst geographic region, and a status of a second one of the wirelessservices in a third geographic region included in the first geographicregion; and transmitting the map data to the wireless device.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the first one of the wireless services isunavailable in the second geographic region but is available in a fourthgeographic region included in the first geographic region, and the mapdata indicates that the first one of the wireless services isunavailable in the second geographic region.
 17. The apparatus of claim16, wherein the fourth geographic region corresponds to a portion of thefirst geographic region not including the second geographic region. 18.The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second one of the wirelessservice is unavailable in the third geographic region but is availablein a fifth geographic region included in the first geographic region,and the map data indicates that the second one of the wireless servicesis unavailable in the third geographic region.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the wireless sessions are associated with a pluralityof wireless devices operating in the first geographic region.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein processing the wireless session recordsincludes processing the wireless session records to determine whetherthe first geographic region includes a zone in which wireless operationis restricted, and generating the map data includes generating the mapdata to identify the zone of the first geographic region in whichwireless operation is restricted.